In the last quarter of the 19th century, the emigration movement to the Americas had intensified, and regular routes were established between Portugal and Brazil.

Maritime navigation was undergoing a transition from sail propulsion to steam power, and many vessels still maintained both systems — known as mixed-propulsion ships.

The steamer Lidador was a mixed-propulsion vessel measuring 78.67 meters in length. Built in 1873 in English shipyards, it belonged to the Empresa Transatlântica de Navegação, based in Rio de Janeiro. It operated the Portugal–Brazil route, with a scheduled stop in the Azores, transporting passengers and general cargo.

In late January 1878, under the command of Captain Augusto Borges Cabral, the Lidador docked at the port of Horta, where it took on board emigrants and passengers from Faial Island bound for Brazil. It then sailed to the port of Angra. Upon arrival, the ship anchored, and unloading and loading operations began using the local port boats.

On the evening of February 6, as embarkation operations were well underway, the wind began to strengthen and shifted to southern quadrants. As the weather worsened, the captain decided to lift anchor and move the vessel to deeper waters to ride out the storm. However, during the manual operation to hoist the anchor, the crew lost control, and the anchor dropped back into the sea. They were unable to recover it.

With its engine running, the vessel swung around the anchor chain and struck a submerged reef extending from the tip of the Fortress of São Sebastião on the eastern edge of Angra Bay. The collision immediately opened a breach in the hull, causing the vessel to take on water, followed by the explosion of the boiler.

Having lost all maneuvering ability, the wind pushed the Lidador westward across the bay, where it collided with the English schooner Jane Wheato, breaking its bowsprit mast, and eventually sank near the quay of Figueirinha, about fifty meters from Monte Brasil.

“On the 7th of this month, the Brazilian steamer Lidador shipwrecked in this city’s bay due to the violent storm of that day. All efforts by Mr. Cabral, the skilled captain of the ship, were in vain. After striking and taking on water, the engine room was flooded and disabled in just over ten minutes. He managed, with great effort, to ground the ship near Monte Brasil, close to the Figueirinha quay. All passengers and crew — over a hundred people — were saved. Fortunately, there were no fatalities.
We must note the lack of resources to deal with such emergencies, which was only overcome by the dedication and heroism shown.
Many of the city's leading gentlemen quickly offered aid and shelter to the victims. Bless all those who are not deaf to the voice of misfortune.”
— O Progresso, February 15, 1878

Several boats from ships anchored in the bay, along with local vessels, quickly came to the Lidador's aid. Thanks to this swift response, there were no casualties, although most of the passengers' and crew's luggage and cargo were lost.

The city mobilized in a large-scale effort to support the survivors. The newspaper O Angrense reported the solidarity shown:

“In such a sad situation, those unfortunate shipwreck victims envisioned the horrors of cold, hunger, and all manner of deprivations. But fortunately, charity was quick to extend its protective and benevolent mantle over them.
One of the city's most distinguished gentlemen, the Viscount of Bettencourt, moved by the plight of the victims, offered to house as many as he could. Others soon followed his example. Twenty-seven people were taken to the noble viscount’s home, where they were given beds, clothing, and food.”
— O Angrense, February 14, 1878

A few days later, the newspaper A Persuasão reported another touching act of bravery during the rescue:

“José Pereira is a young boatman who, during the Lidador’s shipwreck, threw himself into the sea to save a six-month-old baby and the child's mother. It was not the first time José Pereira risked his life to save others — he has performed similar acts of bravery in this very port of Angra do Heroísmo.”
— A Persuasão, February 1878

The Lidador shipwreck became a remarkable example of community solidarity from the people of Angra do Heroísmo toward the shipwrecked victims.

In 2005, the Underwater Archaeological Park of Angra Bay was established. It includes two designated dive sites: Lidador and the Anchor Graveyard — preserving both history and memory beneath the sea.

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